UK plan to use motorway as ‘parking lot’ if no Brexit deal

LONDON — Work has begun to turn a motorway in south east England into a “parking lot” for lorries as part of a plan to prevent traffic chaos in the event of a no-deal Brexit, a senior MP said Thursday.

The plan, which was not disclosed to local councillors or MPs until hours before work began on Wednesday, will see the M26 motorway closed overnight for more than a month in the run-up to Christmas while the roadworks take place.

It marks a major escalation in government preparations for a no-deal Brexit, with talks in Brussels still deadlocked over the question of the Northern Ireland border, and MPs threatening to vote down Theresa May's plan for the future trading relationship with the EU.

Fears that a no-deal scenario would lead to major delays at the port of Dover for freight crossing the Channel, because of the need for customs and regulatory checks, have led the government to implement major works on motorways near the port in the county of Kent. Under the plan confirmed by Grayling on Thursday, the M26 motorway will become a holding area for hundreds of lorries to allow traffic to move more freely on other roads.

The fact the works were related to Brexit was not disclosed by either the Department for Transport or Highways England, the government-owned company charged with operating England's motorways, until Wednesday. The motorway will be closed between 10 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. from October 15 to October 19, then from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. from November 19 to December 21.

Local MP Tom Tugendhat, the Conservative chair of the foreign affairs committee, expressed fury at the secrecy surrounding the project. Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday morning he said: “It’s come to a pretty pass when [an MP] finds out that works have begun on a motorway to turn that motorway into a parking lot without consultation either with the local community or with surrounding [MPs].”

Tugendhat said the works had begun “last night”— despite the fact he was told by Grayling in April that there was no Brexit plan for the M26. Tugendhat added: “Only yesterday was it confirmed to me that Highways England had said that was exactly what was planned, despite having told me the reverse only a week earlier.”

Responding, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, did not counter Tugendhat’s claim and offered to meet him, adding: "I do not expect any of the contingencies that we have in place for a no deal Brexit to be needed because I'm confident we will reach a sensible agreement [with Brussels].”

A Highways England spokesperson said: “As part of wider resilience planning, Highways England has been asked by the Department for Transport to develop plans to utilise the M26 to hold heavy goods vehicles, should further capacity be required in the future.

“We will be undertaking site surveys on the M26 during October leading to the installation of two gates in the central reservation to support the safe management of freight in the future, if needed.”

The Department for Transport declined to comment but provided an additional quote from Highways England: “The work is to install crossover points in the central reservation which can be used to direct traffic onto the opposite carriageway. They are commonplace on motorways and major A roads across the country and help us to manage traffic during incidents.”

A plan called Operation Brock has already led to works on the nearby M20 motorway, to create a contraflow lane to keep roads open if problems arise. Ministers had initially indicated Operation Brock was nothing to do with Brexit, but a Kent County Council report in July revealed the codename stands for “Brexit Operations Across Kent.”

CORRECTION: This article was updated to clarify the answer from Transport Secretary Chris Grayling.

Jacques Boote²

No doubt that there are many contingency plans.
It’s only sensible to have them and reveal them only when it suits.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 12:57 PM CET

Jacques Boote²

Veradker would be wise to make some of his own such contingency plans.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 12:59 PM CET

X KM

Tugendhat said the works had begun “last night”— despite the fact he was told by Grayling in April that there was no Brexit plan for the M26. Tugendhat added: “Only yesterday was it confirmed to me that Highways England had said that was exactly what was planned, despite having told me the reverse only a week earlier.”
——————————–
I am entertained by the fact that, that MP shows Indignation that he was told a lie regarding Brexit!! Does the UK populous really vote in such gullible MPs that swallowed the Brexit lies and fairytail whole?

Posted on 10/11/18 | 1:18 PM CET

Patrick Carroll

Why wasn’t that put on the side of the bus?

Posted on 10/11/18 | 1:34 PM CET

Henk Halstenrud

Doesn’t look like Germans like to find out the hard way either. 🙂
When’s the Bavarian vote? It will cost me a fortune in popcorn, but I have so much entertainment to look forward to, followed by Mutti’s blood bath…

Reginald Bowler

The point being that Dover is not the only port, and that there are other ways that goods can come into or from the UK.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 1:38 PM CET

Henk Halstenrud

Barnier wants progress – Before the Baviarian election results throw Mutti from of her chair.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 1:40 PM CET

X KM

@Henk Halstenrud,
turning your highways into parking lots where exactly was not explained to the public? As brexitears keep telling the people knew exactly what they were voting for, at which page of the brexit guidebook is the “turning highways into parking lots” explained?

Posted on 10/11/18 | 1:59 PM CET

Dr Orthogonal

I note that the news stories are always about car parking on the UK side of the border. Presumably the assumption is that French customs will be so inefficient that lorries and cars will not be able to board ferries or carriages because Calais will be closed because of the customs hold-ups.

There doesn’t seem much concern with traffic going in the other direction (towards the UK). Note that because of the trade imbalance (and the high bulk of the agricultural products that the UK imports so much of) I imagine the freight traffic is greater in this direction.

So what is to make of this? Clearly there is an expectation that UK customs officials will work efficiently and French Customs officials will be incapable of this. The UK takes it as a great compliment that the rest of the EU has such faith in the professionalism and efficiency of UK customs officials. I hope the French are not to insulted by the UK’s lack of faith in them.

Note that on day one there will not have been any regulatory divergence between the UK and the EU so there are no reasons for more checks to ensure regulatory compliance.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 2:16 PM CET

j l

project reality

Posted on 10/11/18 | 2:19 PM CET

Henk Halstenrud

They are not my highways. But they are highways that connect Eu with the UK for many of its road exports. I’m not sure what they will do in Calais? or on the M4 and the N1 in Ireland, or the roads around Rotterdam, or Amsterdam… I don’t believe that roads only exist in the UK, not for one second. Seems obvious that all Eu ports will have the same problems.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 2:24 PM CET

Henk Halstenrud

Regardless of where delays occur (everywhere), and since the Eu exports more to the UK than the UK exports to the Eu then common sense would indicate that any delays would have a more significant / detrimental effect on those who trade more goods (The EU). All that fresh food from the RoI being held up on both sides of the channel don’t bode well for the RoI. (and the other way).

Posted on 10/11/18 | 2:30 PM CET

Eusebio Giandomenico

Alarm bells for Merkel as Bavarian allies face election slump

BERLIN/MUNICH (Reuters) – Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Bavarian allies are heading for defeat in their worst showing in a state election in over 60 years, a setback that risks widening divisions within Germany’s crisis-prone national government.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 2:38 PM CET

Eusebio Giandomenico

French business warns Emmanuel Macron that no-deal Brexit is a ‘major threat’ to the country. Normandy business leaders said they would need millions in no deal subsidies.

In a public letter, Hervé Morin, the chairman of the regional council, and ten leading business figures penned the public letter. stating that French President Emmanuel Macron is a major stumbling block to doing a deal.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 2:42 PM CET

Peter Monta

Let me help you out there Dr O. Britain will, of course, be able to let in any traffic it wants with any sort of customs or regulatory checks that might delay the transit of goods into the country. The EU has their own rules for the importations of goods from third country, non members that don’t have a prior agreement. You import a lot of this stuff called food. Your call.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 3:16 PM CET

David Poole

I was under the impression that Manston Airport was to be used as an overflow, it is disused, the runway is 2700 meters long they could easily park four abreast, that would take a large part of any hold ups

Posted on 10/11/18 | 3:16 PM CET

X KM

Henk Halstenrud

.… I don’t believe that roads only exist in the UK, not for one second. Seems obvious that all Eu ports will have the same problems.
—————–
There are also roads around Sydney and New York and Tokyo, so you are right in that respect! But your what-aboutism still does answer where in the Brexit guidebook is the refence to turn the M26 motorway into a truck parking lot! or explain why the UK minister for Transport and the UK government own company lied to the UK MP??

Posted on 10/11/18 | 3:22 PM CET

Gwyn

Peter,

I truly find the fact that you believe there will be limited impact on the EU refreshing. Your ability to believe that a no-deal is only a small hindrance for the EU and that there will be limited impact just shows that life goes on. Of course, based on past experience, it does normally take the EU 2 years to catch up with the rest of the planet, so you may wish to worry about 2021 (though you may be in for a quick short shock next year too of course!) when the politicians finally get around to realising that they miscalculated and rather than working to minimise issues, they have in fact caused one through their short-term exploits.

But at least you get to watch the UK implode first….. 😉

Posted on 10/11/18 | 3:29 PM CET

Politi no

@Jacques Boote² “No doubt that there are many contingency plans. It’s only sensible to have them and reveal them only when it suits.”
I thought Brexiteers wanted the maximum amount of contingency plans to be revealed, to strengthen their threat to leave without a deal?
And in any case this doesn’t sound like revealing “when its suits”, but when they had no option but to do so.
This is how the government is Taking Back Control.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 3:30 PM CET

Anglian Republic

Reginald Bowler
The point being that Dover is not the only port, and that there are other ways that goods can come into or from the UK.

yes but ONLY NORTH FRENCH PORTS can be used for goods in and out of the UK …the dutch belgium ports are for EU traffic (ireland ) only – its not up to the brits being a third country to pick which ports it can use in the EU ..

Posted on 10/11/18 | 3:39 PM CET

Dr Orthogonal

@Peter Monta

you said
“The EU has their own rules for the importations of goods from third country, non members that don’t have a prior agreement.”

That’s the thing, the rules that the UK has are the same as the EU’s rules. It’s just that everyone imagines that the French are not going to be up to the task. I guess it’ll just mean there is more traffic through Rotterdam.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 3:46 PM CET

Jacques Boote²

@Politi no
“You Brexiteers”

Whatever gave you that idea? I am a remainier.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 3:52 PM CET

-> tpk

@Dr Orthogonal

The only chance that you don’t starve is if you do not control anything in Dover. So you won’t implement custom controls for a long time.

This will lead to problems with WTO. That is why France will have to do controlls, because EU can afford not to get UK products. Or can afford better than UK.

For your export industry that would a massive blow.

What do you think why May says yes to anything in Brussels. Question is if your Parliament gets it.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 3:57 PM CET

A Trading Dutchman

@Anglian Republic
“yes but ONLY NORTH FRENCH PORTS can be used for goods in and out of the UK …the dutch belgium ports are for EU traffic (ireland ) only – its not up to the brits being a third country to pick which ports it can use in the EU ..”

ABSOLUTE AND UTTER TRIPE ! Begone, and take your inbred EuroTrollocks with you.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 3:58 PM CET

Gwyn

tpk

What do you suppose the consequences of the EU taking the hard nosed approach, should it be a no-deal scenario, will be across the EU? Do you truly believe that the EU will not descend into a further crisis that will have massive strategic and financial impact beyond dealing with the UK? Irrespective on whether BREXIT is right or wrong, the no-deal approach will have massive political consequences for the EU that could have been managed in a better way. Ultimately the negotiation tactics from both sides seem to me that they never believed the other side would allow it to deteriorate to such an extent and that politicians have miscalculated how much movement the other side either could or would make.

Personally, I believe a no-deal end product will have a massive impact on political life across the continent that will reverberate for years as issues continue to bounce across the continent (and in some cases the world) for years to come, and the blame game will make the pro-EU/Brexiteer hate look pale in comparison (I wonder how Barnier will be depicted by all parties, despite he is only following the position given to him by others).

Unfortunately, the EU are reliant on the UK politicians to have a clue and the EU is relying on the UK backing down, which may not be possible under current political circumstances in the UK, so no-deal by accident is still a no-deal that is caused by the negotiating stance of both parties…

Posted on 10/11/18 | 4:18 PM CET

Murphy murphy

TO ….Jacques Boote..– Ireland has , we have cut down on UK imports which are worth £28 Billion to the UK and the Republic is its 5th biggest customer, oh, the Brits tried economic war with Ireland in 1932-1937 and Ireland survived , Google it…….

Posted on 10/11/18 | 4:23 PM CET

Ghost of JB

@X KM

“which page of the brexit guidebook is the “turning highways into parking lots” explained?”

Sadly, X, we do this pretty regularly as French fishermen and ferry staff often blockade French ports, or strike. It has become a feature of life around British ports…

Posted on 10/11/18 | 4:29 PM CET

Stan

Let’s just get on with this sh|tshow and move on. It’s tedious being whined at about it day in day out. Quite what it has to do with most of you is a mystery. D|ckheads opining on everything we do is certainly one aspect of EU membership I won’t miss 🙂

Posted on 10/11/18 | 4:36 PM CET

Yellow Submarine

This could cause chaos, it’s never happened before ….. hmmm hang on.

In July 2015 Ann Barnes, Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent said. “It’s been going on for 20 years”

As strikes, and struggles with immigrants, continue to cause chaos in Calais, police in Kent have turned the M20 into a giant lorry park to hold trucks waiting to cross the English Channel. For 24 of the past 40 days, the coast bound side of the M20 in Kent has been closed.
Operation Stack has been used since 1996 whenever there is disruption to channel crossings. Between 1996 and the end of 2007 Operation Stack was implemented 95 times for a total of 145 days.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 4:45 PM CET

-> tpk

@Gwyn

Good points.
I would say that impact on producing economy would be bearable for EU IF(!) UKs economy does not completely brake down. Big if though.

I don’t know about banking stuff and can’t say how great the dangers for are brakedown are.

In another forum we kind of agreed that a prolongiation of A50 might be inevitable as UK Parliament will only vote Jan/Feb.

The main problem with UK is that many even in Government still don’t understand the basics of Brexit but blindly follow the holy gospels of Brexit. And Mays way of coping with this is to not discuss anything in public. What shall EU do? Treat UK as a child or as a grown up? I don’t see where or how EU should do something different without getting on levels which are technically so redicolous that it’s just not worth it (e.g. the Ireland solutions recently proudly presented by the ERG).

Posted on 10/11/18 | 4:57 PM CET

Jacques Boote

@Murphy murphy
“economic war with Ireland in 1932-1937”

You get some satisfaction from that? It was nothing to do with me, time to drop the chip from your shoulder now that things are starting to get back to normal.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 5:01 PM CET

Stan

@Gwyn
“so no-deal by accident is still a no-deal that is caused by the negotiating stance of both parties…”

Yep. Both sides wanting/needing what the other can’t/won’t give. It was always unlikely to end in epic failure.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 5:32 PM CET

X KM

@Gwyn
tpk
What do you suppose the consequences of the EU taking the hard nosed approach, should it be a no-deal scenario, will be across the EU? Do you truly believe that the EU will not descend into a further crisis that will have massive strategic and financial impact beyond dealing with the UK?
—————
It maybe hard for you to believe, but Brexit will not cause a further crisis for the EU! Brexit is an inconvinience but it is a non issue.
OK, the current UK govenment will collapse but it is not as if the UK today has a functioning govenment! The EU has to deal with disfunctional governments in Ukraine with its rebels trying to rip that country apart, the UK will look something akin to Ukraine after a no-deal Brexit so the EU in a similar fashion will deal with withever emerges in the UK after a no-deal brexit.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 5:37 PM CET

François P

As I have already stated numerous times, frictionless trade between the UK and the EU is only possible if the UK stays in the EU or if the UK becomes a complete vassal state of the EU in a full-on BRINO Brexit. Both are highly unlikely.

Therefore, there will be a need, sooner or later, for checks at the borders between the UK and the EU. And thus obviously also in Dover and Calais.

Therefore, the headline of this article should be changed as follows:
From “UK plan to use motorway as ‘parking lot’ if NO Brexit deal”
To “UK plan to use motorway as ‘parking lot’ if Brexit deal”

Posted on 10/11/18 | 6:21 PM CET

Herr merky merky 

Seems to be creating a lot of fuss in the EUSSR for something that’s irelevant.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 6:32 PM CET

Ian Beaumont

X KM,
I admire your optimism, but it only shows that you are ignoring what is actually being said by business industries, and local economies throughout the EU.

The motorway issue is because an ex Remain supporting MP, and some of his constituents, does not want trucks queued up in his constituency.

Having looked at the proposed M26 road closure times, for the roadworks, it doesn’t look like there will be major works being carried out .

With regard to your comment whilst comparing the UK to the Ukraine, again you seem to lack any reasonable foresight, and fail to understand realities, whether it be that numerous countries regard the UK as a sensible voice within the EU Institutions, or changes in EU member voting balances etc, before we even get into economic costs etc.
I think you will have a rude awakening after Brexit

Posted on 10/11/18 | 6:39 PM CET

Uwe Kuntz

@X KM

Don’t fret over Ukraine, I think they rebuilt it after they threw yout type out.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 6:42 PM CET

EU doublestandards

Suck it up Tugendhat. It’s called not tipping your hand.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 6:48 PM CET

EU doublestandards

@Peter Monta
“You import a lot of this stuff called food. Your call.”

You do realise we’re forced to buy a lot of our food from the EU, right Petey? Coz we can’t make preferential deals with (cheaper) non-EU food suppliers. Why do you think the Euro AgriSector is so desperate to keep us in the customs union pal? We’re their biggest customer – but not for much longer…

Come to papa you beautiful Australian wines, New Zealand lamb, Tunisian vegetables and Nigerian fruit 🙂

Posted on 10/11/18 | 6:58 PM CET

Kat Usha

Why do the Filthy German peoples continue to test their diesel emmisions on monkeys and people, again !

Posted on 10/11/18 | 7:08 PM CET

X KM

@Ian Beaumont

X KM,
I admire your optimism, but it only shows that you are ignoring what is actually being said by business industries, and local economies throughout the EU.
…..
With regard to your comment whilst comparing the UK to the Ukraine
—————————
Sorry to disagree with you but if we look at what business says then regarding Brexit we find ourselves in the following situations
the Car Industry doesn’t want it, I ask to find one Car manufacturer who wants Brexit
(Brexitear silence)
The financial industry doesn’t want it, I ask to find one Bank exec who wants Brexit
(Brexitear silence)
the Airlines Industry don’t want it, I ask to find one airline exec who wants Brexit
(Brexitear silence)
the Transport Industry don’t want it, I ask to find one transport exec who wants Brexit
(Brexitear silence)
So, I am not the one who does not listen to business.

Regarding the comparison between the UK and Ukraine, I am spot on! in both countries Russian interfirence is making the population poorer and ripping the countries apart.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 7:20 PM CET

X KM

@EU doublestandards

what stops you from buying Tunisian vegetables and Nigerian fruit today??? what is their import duty? do tell us!!! 🙂 eagarly awaiting your answer!

Posted on 10/11/18 | 7:24 PM CET

Fractured Skull

@XKM: German business turn to Theresa May for help

If it’s so bad for German companies, why don’t they run to Merkel instead of running to Theresa May? (And the German business turn to Theresa May for help)… Does Merkel not listen to German businessd? Is it foerbodden? as it is in France (Where Macron says there is no right to complain)….

Posted on 10/11/18 | 7:26 PM CET

EU doublestandards

Well, if you did some research once in a while, rather than just mocking people, you’d know its not the duty, but the QUOTAS that are the problem. EU countries must treat other EU countries as preferential trade partners. Non-EU countries selling Agriproducts into the EU face a quota system, whereby they may only export a certain amount of goods into the EU, to ensure the EU’s own CAP subsidy-based agricultural sector is able to compete on a preferential basis. This means EU countries are forced to buy MORE of any agriproduct that can be produced in the EU, compared to the same product exported by a non-EU country. This keeps EU food prices artificially inflated.

You may recall a number of stories Politico ran several months ago, about countries such as Canada concerned about their agri-quotas with the EU, post-Brexit – as most of their agriproduce currently is exported to the UK. The Canadians and other countries were worried about what happens to their quotas when their biggest EU customer (us) leaves – and who else in the EU would pick up the slack?

Posted on 10/11/18 | 7:36 PM CET

Gobelmiesters Peak²

@XKM

And they do !

Posted on 10/11/18 | 7:45 PM CET

Little Fauntleroy

Operation Brock is an extension of Operation Stack which isn’t so much about Brexit as French farmers being French farmers. It’s about the EU can’t get its house in order. I wonder what plans are in place in Calais et al – although to be fair Calais shouldn’t have a problem because it’s increasingly clear that there will be zero disruption of goods coming into the UK.

Also, by the way, nothing new.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 7:49 PM CET

Little Fauntleroy

Posted on 10/11/18 | 7:53 PM CET

Ian Beaumont

XKM,
You put
“It maybe hard for you to believe, but Brexit will not cause a further crisis for the EU! Brexit is an inconvinience but it is a non issue.”

What I have pointed out is that your comment goes against EU business and local communties statements .

I acknowledge there will be effects on UK businesses , but you refuse to acknowledge any effect on EU businesses and local communities being anything more than an inconvenience .
You are not a realist

Posted on 10/11/18 | 7:54 PM CET

Hauls du Montezuma²

Plenty of EurTrucks in that queue.
Were the EuroFarmers spreading theír shít all over the Frarnreich yet again?

Posted on 10/11/18 | 8:03 PM CET

Das FlyinPhuck²

Grimsby – Immingham – Southampton

Grimsby itself handles >500,000 vehicles every year (M18), no where near the south coast. With motorway link dierct to the M1 and M62 and therefore the whole of the UK !

Posted on 10/11/18 | 8:12 PM CET

Little Fauntleroy

No British truck drivers were harmed during the making of that video; because they’re all continental Europeans – even the British truck companies they’ll be European drivers, probably of the eastern variety. Think that one actually was ferry workers on strike but hard to say it happens every couple of months.

The point was we’re used to this, the world doesn’t end, it doesn’t matter.

My company has opened a huge distribution warehouse in Poland that’s completely operated by robots to deal with the EU can’t operate its borders properly after brexit (or before it fwiw), employs almost no people and nobody in the UK has lost their job or will lose their job because of the rapid expansion. Wonder how many European companies operating from the mainland have done the same? None?

Posted on 10/11/18 | 8:13 PM CET

Das CommonIlliac²

|@XKM: The UK has many, many ports, some west facing ports (Bristol, Liverpool (there are more)), recieve goods direct from the US.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 8:16 PM CET

Das CommonIlliac²

There are some (Holyhead, Troon, Ayr) to name just a few of the 100’s of UK ports (I didn’t metion any NI ports)… 🙂

Posted on 10/11/18 | 8:18 PM CET

Ich scheiß' d'rauf! von Kleikerhfferminefurheur du Bleuý²

Come orn, next topic please, have to set off on a weekend city break soon.
Another (paid for) weekend in New York (yawn)… EurPeons !

Posted on 10/11/18 | 8:24 PM CET

Ich scheiß' d'rauf! von Kleikerhfferminefurheur du Bleuý²

Did I forget to mention Southampton?

Posted on 10/11/18 | 8:30 PM CET

Merkel das Liar²

@XKM

Who lied ?

Posted on 10/11/18 | 8:40 PM CET

Merkel das Liar²

Merkel, the cause of Brexit !

Posted on 10/11/18 | 8:47 PM CET

Jo Docus

@Jacques Boote²

“No doubt that there are many contingency plans. It’s only sensible to have them and reveal them only when it suits.”

Oh absolutely! It’s not as if the UK will be needing those motorways much after Brexit, so turning them into parking lots is probably a good idea.

By the way, have you heard this rumour that the government is preparing nation-wide Brexit Dividend Packages? Said to contain waterproof matches, candles, a thermo insulation blanket, crackers, lard, hard cheese, vegetable seeds, and seed potatoes. I don’t know if it’s true of course, but how about you write your MP to look into it?

Posted on 10/11/18 | 8:50 PM CET

Carpet Bomber²

YO Dipodicus

We all have “The SAS survival handbook” in the attic. ! Thick twart !

Posted on 10/11/18 | 8:56 PM CET

Carpet Bomber² ☺

Yo Diplodicus

You forgot the fish hooks. 🙂

Posted on 10/11/18 | 8:59 PM CET

Stallins Organ²

Yo Dipoldicus

Posted on 10/11/18 | 9:03 PM CET

Stallins Organ²

You Diplodicus

It even has PICTURES !

Posted on 10/11/18 | 9:03 PM CET

edel .

@Little Fauntleroy, no trucking driver is going to loose jobs, people will still merchandise won’t it? Maybe they will need smaller trucks, maybe different ports, but merchandise will still be needed to be carried.

What we are discussing, is that Britain will suffer the most from a no-deal. UK exports 40% to the EU (and big chunk of the 60% through EU-3rd country deals) while, only 8% of the EU trade is to the UK. Some countries like Germany and Spain will suffer more, but the EU likely will find a formula to compensate… in any case, the UK will suffer the most by a large margin.

Yes, now the UK can make deals with third countries, but with the exception of China, India and the US, most significant others the EU has deals already so you will see no difference. But, even in the eventuality for a trade deal with those 3 large countries, it will never compensate for the EU, the main reason being proximity. Australia has a free trade deal with the US, but trade with the US is minimal compared with closer Japan and China, Thailand or South Korea. Venezuela despises the US but its proximity makes it even today is bigger trading partner than the EU and China combined; Proximity! Countries, unlike people, cannot choose neighbors.

And that, let’s not consider the demands China, India, and specially the US will make for a trade deal; likely regulations lifted and and visa free access.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 9:09 PM CET

Duck N'Cover²

@Edel

You, UK leaves the Eu, NO DEAL, UK has FTA’s on offer, is the Eu in the queue?
You betcha (at the back!).

Posted on 10/11/18 | 9:12 PM CET

Antoine uk

Mourinho will be Brexit Manager. He is used to parking the bus and lorries are not much different…

Dr Ortho wrote
“There doesn’t seem much concern with traffic going in the other direction (towards the UK). Note that because of the trade imbalance (and the high bulk of the agricultural products that the UK imports so much of) I imagine the freight traffic is greater in this direction.”

So yes good doctor, there are twice more lorries going from the continent to UK than from UK to the continent… and this has been going on for 40 years…. that’s why there are so many parkings in UK… all parked with lorries from the continent… but, sure, the M26 will be useful…
Just check your incontinence next time …

Posted on 10/11/18 | 9:16 PM CET

Shipping Lowest Cost Transport²

@Edel

Its cheaper to ship goods via container by ship across the world by ship than by truck from Germany ! And far less poluting (well, yea, depends if the Germans are doing the measuring).

The countries you mention ALL have already stated that they want a deal with the UK !
They say “If UK trade is good enough for the Eu”, then we will have it each way.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 9:17 PM CET

Shipping Lowest Cost Transport²

@Antoinne du TinTin

Did I mention Felixstowe ?

Posted on 10/11/18 | 9:19 PM CET

Shipping Lowest Cost Transport²

Harwich ?

Posted on 10/11/18 | 9:21 PM CET

Shipping Lowest Cost Transport²

Goole and Hull ?

Posted on 10/11/18 | 9:21 PM CET

Shipping Lowest Cost Transport²

Port of London, Purfleet, Gravesend, Tilbury (Oh Tilsbury – Special).

Posted on 10/11/18 | 9:23 PM CET

Shipping Lowest Cost Transport²

Tilbury !

Posted on 10/11/18 | 9:24 PM CET

Shipping Lowest Cost Transport²

M26 only serves Dover/Folkestone, not exactky the UK’s only lifeline. 🙂

Posted on 10/11/18 | 9:40 PM CET

edel .

@Shipping Lowest Cost Transport², it is not about costs, but a combination of tradition, likes and reliability. Again Australia has a legal proximity to the US, not to mention cultural an linguistic, yet, far smaller but closer South Korea is more important for Aussies, let alone Japan. Australia simply find Thai food and Japanese components more feasible than the free trade with the US. But don’t look just a Australia, look for any country that trades more with distant countries than closer ones… almost none. Shipping costs is barely a factor here!

@Duck N’Cover², FTA (ironically, not what was in mind of most Brexit voters) takes years to develop and further more to implement. They are good, but it comes at a costs, demands that need to be accommodate. And again, distance largely diminishing its usage (exception is China since costs were immensely different, not the case of UK). Want a FTA with the US, will cost you hundreds of thousands of little pops$moms shops vanish and certain workers loosing jobs, what a FTA with India, expect India to demand free visa and hundreds of thousands more migrants from there.

Don’t take me wrong, UK can weather it all, but there is not doubt by economists, CEOs, researchers and anyone that has study this, the UK will end up worse than within the EU. What it is more sad, is that most of those communities that voted Brexit will end up paying for most of Uk’s new path, whether in prices or worse quality jobs.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 9:46 PM CET

Compound Fracture²

The UK is happy with foodstuff from the World, Thai, India, Chinese, Mongolian, Japanese, America, Mexican, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Italian (yep), French (yep, but its not what it was), Hawian, Turkish, you name it, but there are not so may Eu foodstuffs that we can’t replicate here or obtain from others (if we really hanker after them).
Sorry, Cream is cream, and cheese is cheese… I don’t give a phuck if you or someone else makes it (or what you call it) and if they are happy to take your trade, then I for one am happy to give it to them.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 9:55 PM CET

Compound Fracture²

@edel .

Yes, it is time the UK reconnected to the commonwealth and others.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 9:57 PM CET

Disillusioned Banker²

Sometimes friends take precident over those who only wish to take advantage.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 10:00 PM CET

July 11th²

It’s cheaper to ship a boatload of higher quality lamb from New Zealand than purchase from the Eu.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 10:02 PM CET

March 4th²

The day of the grape in Argentinia !
Keep you Beaujolais ! I don’t care if it has to be called something else from anywhere else.
Did you know, all Eu grapes are derived from the New World?
After an Eu disease killed all Eu grapes?

Posted on 10/11/18 | 10:09 PM CET

Uwe Kuntz²

@edel .
“Don’t take me wrong, UK can weather it all, but there is not doubt by economists, CEOs, researchers and anyone that has study this, the UK will end up worse than within the EU. What it is more sad, is that most of those communities that voted Brexit will end up paying for most of Uk’s new path, whether in prices or worse quality jobs.”

Please don’t take us wrong, we don’t want to be in your political union and we voted, and we rejected you, but now we can’t figure out why you just don’t phuck off and let us leave.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 10:32 PM CET

Uwe Kuntz²

edel .

There are plenty of Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonalds, and StarBucks all over the Eu.

Posted on 10/11/18 | 10:45 PM CET

Kjeld Holm

The Eu with the British but without the French would be a True EuTopia !

Posted on 10/11/18 | 11:18 PM CET

X KM

@Shipping Lowest Cost Transport²

Tilbury !
——————–
tell that to your ministers and PM you knob instead of spamming us and save your owm freeways

Posted on 10/12/18 | 12:08 AM CET

X KM

@Uwe Kuntz²

edel .

There are plenty of Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonalds, and StarBucks all over the Eu
—————
hmmmm, true! also fortunately the majority of morons are located in the UK

Posted on 10/12/18 | 12:15 AM CET

Pierre Monta du bleu Shítizod²

@XKM du Shítzoid.

Phurk orf du Trolly, Not looking so good for das .Führer, is it?

Posted on 10/12/18 | 12:19 AM CET

Pierre Monta du bleu Shítizod²

@XKM

Enjoy your finga linken chicken !

Posted on 10/12/18 | 12:20 AM CET

Pierre Monta du bleu Shítizod²

@X KM

Posted on 10/12/18 | 12:22 AM CET

Uwe Kuntz²

@X KM: The end is in sight.

Posted on 10/12/18 | 12:28 AM CET

Throwaway das Foreskin B4 eatin das shíte

@X KM

Posted on 10/12/18 | 12:32 AM CET

Henry Jones

Sacrifices must be made for Freedom.

Posted on 10/12/18 | 12:34 AM CET

It\'s so Idealick²

@X KM

Take no notice, I (along with most German girls) like Arabic’s without foreskin, its so much nicer !

Posted on 10/12/18 | 12:37 AM CET

It\'s so Idealick²

@Henry Jones.

True, nothing like a bit of FemDom !

Posted on 10/12/18 | 12:37 AM CET

Burhardt Schítzenstoffer²

I feel so, well, liberated ! Well done and thank you to the Irish !

Posted on 10/12/18 | 12:44 AM CET

Burhardt Schítzenstoffer²

If the Irish Catholics can do it, its legal and anyone can do it, even the pope approves !

Posted on 10/12/18 | 12:45 AM CET

Hulbard du Klinkerrferkmeass

wo ist das X KM, are you free, Parkplatz 23:59 in Berlin?

Posted on 10/12/18 | 12:51 AM CET

Stiv Osscor

Politico’s comment section has become a pissing contest. I have been warning for many months that this is a charade, not just any charade, it is a choreographed masterpiece of deception and betrayal.
Anyone who believes that a WTO exit is a possibility under Oliver Robbins, who is the ex president of the Oxford Reform Club, a group promoting a federal European Union who is also the current secretary of DExEU and leading the negotiations is either naive, or wilfully ignorant at best.
You people do know Robbins nickname within the civil service is “Sir Humphrey” after the Yes Minister permanent secretary character Sir Humphrey Appleby?

Jo Docus

I presume the handbook mentions on page one that it is not in fact edible? Or do they leave that for the next edition, based on “reader feedback”?

Posted on 10/12/18 | 12:34 PM CET

F Bloggs

This has happened for years and is usually called Operation Stack.
Brexit or no Brexit it’s well past time a better arrangement was made to deal with the consequences in the UK every time the French go on strike or let migrants into the Channel Tunnel.

F Bloggs

Andrew B

The motorway is often used as a “parking lot” under Operation Stack. This is generally the case due to strikes on the French side. Not a big deal.

Inhave yet to see similar preparations on the French side. I’ll check next week when I use the tunnel as I do roughly once every 6 weeks.

If there is disruption it will really hurt the Irish Republic who send 80% of their exports to the EU via British roads. Frankly we could do without the pollution which gives zero benefit to the UK economy. The Irish can send it all via sea (slow) or air (expensive even assuming they are allowed to overfly the UK)

Posted on 10/12/18 | 2:12 PM CET

Little Fauntleroy

“Anyone who believes that a WTO exit is a possibility under Oliver Robbins, who is the ex president of the Oxford Reform Club, a group promoting a federal European Union who is also the current secretary of DExEU and leading the negotiations is either naive, or wilfully ignorant at best.”

There’s no parliamentary majority for anything but hard brexit – which means hard brexit is what we’re going to get. Also known as best option also known as WTO brexit. Also Olly Robbins will get his – it should be a prison cell for the coup d’etat but what will happen is he’ll get shoved out the nearest exit when May goes.